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Powell picks SEC

Memphis, Tenn., is loaded with basketball talent in the class of 2006 and one of the city's brightest prospects made his choice on Wednesday afternoon. Brandon Powell, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound shooting guard from Mitchell High School, will take his game to the SEC.
Powell, the No. 111 ranked player in the class of 2006, had trimmed his list to Memphis, Tennessee, Florida, Colorado, UAB and USC two weeks ago and at a press conference at his school, Powell announced his decision to play at the University of Florida.
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"I've always had the feeling that Florida is where I wanted to go," Powell said. "I've always watched them and guys like Jason Williams, Mike Miller and Anthony Roberson. I feel like I can come in there and make an immediate impact. Hopefully I can be the guy that can make those big shots like those other guys did."
Powell is a custom fit for Florida and will be a deadly option in the Gator backcourt. He's a lights out shooter that excels on both ends of the floor and uses his athleticism to play above the rim as well as rebounding in the paint.
Billy Donovan was a major reason why the three-star guard picked the SEC school. With interest from Memphis, Tennessee and Colorado, Powell said it was the relationship with Donovan himself that helped him decide on Florida.
"I've always had a good relationship with Coach Donovan," Powell said. "I had a lot of interest from other schools but I never really dealt with the head coaches. I did with Coach Donovan. I feel like I know him the best and he's going to have my best interest. I'm going to give him all that I have."
Mitchell High athletic director Henry Baskins said Florida is getting a gem of a student athlete.
"He's a much better person that a basketball player," Baskins said. "He's worked really hard since his freshman year and now he's a full qualifier. He's matured so much as a player and person. We are all really happy for him."
Powell's commitment is good news for the Gators. The team recently found out that their top 2005 recruit Derwin Kitchen failed to qualify on the FCAT, the Florida's standarized test.
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